Since 1910, Father’s Day has been observed in the United States during the month of June, specifically the third Sunday of the month. This was proclaimed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966.
June is during a time of year when most students are on holiday away from their university studies. However, every year there are students who take classes during the summer months and are unable to travel home to be with their fathers during the commemoration holiday.
“A phone call will be how I’m celebrating Father’s Day this year,” said Jacob Martin, senior in computer science. “A special dinner would probably be better, but I won’t be able to be home this year because of school. I’ll just have to call my dad to show my appreciation.”
A predecessor of the Americanized Father’s Day was originally observed in March by Catholic Europe. This celebration was brought to Latin America by the Portuguese and Spanish, where the March date is often still used. Interestingly, if the original March date was still used in America, it would fall within K-State’s spring break, allowing more students to travel home to be with their families on Father’s Day.
Dakota Angell, sophomore in industrial engineering, is another student who will be spending the holiday with her school work and not her father. “I’ll be on campus this year but it’s still very important because my dad’s important,” Angell said. “My dad is probably the most important person in the world to me.”
For some students who will be away from their fathers on the June 18, whether it be because of the date it falls on, family death or having no paternal relationship, the holiday can seem melancholy.
Hannah Rogers, graduate in German literature, views the day as a personal celebration more so than an event.
“I’m not going to be with my dad on Father’s Day this year, and like other people who can’t, the day is more to me about just acknowledging how hard my dad has worked for me, my siblings and our family,” Rogers said. “I’ll be spending the day thinking about how much I appreciate it.”
Related:
Street Talk: How do you celebrate Father's Day?
